Willem followed closely to Mortuus, his breather loudly huffing. His mind was racing with thoughts. Somehow, Mortuus seemed to know.
"Don't listen to them, Willem. They lie." He said as he puffed on cannabis. Willem wasn't sure he really knew.
Deep down, Mortuus could feel that Willem didn't believe him. He slowly reared his trench coat off his shoulders, revealing burns.
"I... I..." Willem stuttered but stopped as Mortuus then rolled up his sleeves. The bandages that wrapped his arms were sliced and bloodied.
"The voice speaks only lies, Willem." He said and rolled his sleeves back down, concealing the hurt.
"I didn't realize you were that hurt." Willem finally uttered.
"That's the thing about hiding away..." Mortuus sighed and looked at the ground before continuing, "...They don't know you."
Willem walked silently beside Mortuus. It didn't help that Mortuus was a foot taller than him.
He wasn't sure what to say.
He watched in silence as Mortuus puffed the cannabis. "Would you like some?" He asked.
Willem put up his hands defensively, "I don't do drugs."
Mortuus looked down at the pen. He was a little ashamed that he depended on it. "That's alright. I was only offering. It's good to stay away from drugs."
Again, the two were consumed by silence as they walked.
Mortuus stopped in front of the obelisk. That same strange energy was there. Willem felt it, too, and seemed uneased by it.
"What is that?" He asked Mortuus.
"Energy." He replied, his eyes fixated on the structure. Mortuus brought Willem closer and asked him to touch it.
Willem hesitated but finally touched it as Mortuus held his hand to it. Willem's hand lay on it, and he felt the energy moving.
Its movements seemed more consistent with something living than just frequencies. It was a strange feeling, but it didn't feel unnatural.
He removed his hand. "Is it alive?"
"I don't know."
Mortuus started walking past the obelisk, Willem joining him. He followed, still wondering where they were going.
The two walked in silence through the heavy foliage. Mortuus stopped in front of a large tree limb.
He parted it and revealed The Cave of Souls. Willem looked at the eerie opening. Why'd Subject E-5 bring him here?
As he neared the opening with Willem, Mortuus took his hand. He guided Willem through the darkness.
"How can you see?" Willem asked, his eyes fixated on Mortuus's face. Mortuus could see that he was staring.
"These bindings I have over my face, let me see. I don't need light." Mortuus explained, looking for the cavern with the river.
Willem was confused about how that was but decided not to question further. After all, Mortuus didn't seem like the explaining type.
As they continued down the dark tunnel, Willem saw a strange glow at the end. It seemed to be bioluminescence.
"Watch your step," Mortuus said as he helped Willem over the crumbled wall. Willem gasped in shock as he looked around.
"It... It's beautiful." Willem uttered. Mortuus walked him to the river. As he neared the river with Willem, a Koi started glowing brighter and getting closer.
Willem leaned down and placed his hand out to fish. The small fish danced in the water around his hand. The Koi swam up and sniffed at his hand.
"What is this place, E-5?" Willem asked, still focused on the fish.
"It's The Cave of Souls, Willem. That's your soul." He replied.
Willem looked down at the goofy little fish swimming about in the water. "Why is my soul sushi?"
Mortuus sighed, "It's a Koi, Willem. Pick it up."
Willem hesitated before lifting the fish. Just like Mortuus's, Willem's fish took the shape of a crystal heart.
Willem looked at the crystal. Why'd it give him this? And why does he suddenly feel dizzy?59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNxBgBsH7s
59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUjYY9cCS2
Willem suddenly collapsed on the ground. Mortuus ran to him, "WILLLEM!!"59Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXHPaATQFv
